Document Yr39Q7dDXKVZ48gvDQKXqoZB8

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS DIVISION TO: R. W. Sterrett FROM: H. A. Brown cc: C. R. Babb T. F. Egan R. E. Schneider W. R. Wright vvna C00309 UC.C. i i. 103.^703 DATE: December 10, 1969 SUBJ: Sprayed Fiber Fireproofing Reference is made to Tom Egan's report-on.this subject, dated November 28, which was routed to me. I would just like to suggest before we create hysteria on this problem that we simul taneously do some fact developing of our own. At the time of our meeting with officials of the Public Health Service, we had very definite indications that they felt that Dr. Selikoff was inclined to overreact and approach the specific effects of asbestos with evangelistic zeal. Secondly, I would like to point out again the result of the California test which showed that dust from spraying our product, both at the mixing point and at the spraying point, was at very low particle counts. I suggest that now that the General Superintendents are trained to take sample counts and we have the necessary equipment that we arrange to have samples taken on two or three fireproofing job sites. Fred Eaton will provide a plan on where to take them. We then will have the samples analyzed for both particle count and also use the new asbestos fiber count technique. This will give us some facts to better assess the seriousness of the problem with Mono-Kote. r> HAB:cgr <r H. A. Brown 20080682 to R. W. Stenrett FKO/.1 T. F. Egan cc.- C. R. Babb date November 28, 1969 SUBJECT As I have mentioned, Dr. Irving Selikoff, Director of Environmental Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, spoke at the CPLIA Convention on November 4. He leveled very serious charges about the definite danger created by use of sprayed fiber fireproofing. By use of charts he outlined the medical facts of the incident of Asbestosis, lung cancer and rare cancer of the chest wall and lining of the stomach among asbestos workers. Since it takes 15 to 20 years to kill, the danger has been hidden until now. He then turned to sprayed fiber fireproofing in New York, showing the unchecked "snow" throughout the downtown area. Special note was made of the World Trade Center. Selikoff stated they estimate 100 tons of fiber rail be airborne in New York from this job. He closed by stating the work practice was the worst he could imagine and from his observa tions not one man spraying fiber today would be alive in 20 years. The officials of the international unions were there along with contractors and I know it landed like a bomb. We must go all out to get asbestos out of Mono-Kote at once. If it means changing assignments or putting additional people on the job, I recommend we do it. Thanks for your attention. TFE:dlc T. F. Egan 20080683